Deathcare conferences are more than industry events—they’re where we connect, share insights, and learn from others who are just as committed to making a difference. This past September, two of our team members, Hannah Mason and Kayleigh Feschuk, attended three exciting conferences: CANA, Funeral IQ, and Selected Independent. These events provided incredible insight on aftercare, grief support, and collaboration, which we are thrilled to share with you here.
The Cremation Association of North America’s 2024 conference in Chicago brought forth many powerful discussions. One standout moment was Dr. Sara Murphy’s workshop on suicide risk awareness within funeral professions. She emphasized the importance of distinguishing between burnout and compassion fatigue—two challenges faced by those in high-stress caregiving environments—and shared strategies for prevention.
Another memorable session came from Kelly Manion, “The Power of Service & The Power of Human Connection.” Momentarily turning the focus away from families’ grief, Kelly asked funeral professionals to reflect on their own experiences, highlighting how they often face grief overload, secondary trauma, and burnout. Kelly reminded us how rituals in grief provide structure, foster community, and create opportunities for closure, ultimately helping both families and funeral professionals process loss.
One of the key moments our team loved was Kelly’s challenge to rethink the standard, “I’m so sorry for your loss.” She offered more authentic alternatives, such as:
These moments, along with Kelly’s emphasis on aftercare as a trust-building tool, resonated deeply with our team. They aligned perfectly with Cadence’s mission to empower funeral homes by providing meaningful continuing care that supports grieving families and strengthens long-term loyalty.
At Funeral IQ, Dr. Amy Schiffman explored the critical gap between palliative care providers and funeral professionals. She shared how better networking across these fields could ease families' transitions from end-of-life care to funeral services.
Dr. Schiffman also discussed that collaboration between hospice care teams and funeral homes opens doors for deeper relationship-building and mutual support. These relationships not only assist families but create opportunities for funeral homes to grow by serving as compassionate partners in all phases of care.
During the Selected Independent Funeral Homes conference, Cadence had the honor of hosting a Conversation Café centered around “The Aftercare Gap.” The discussion highlighted a significant disconnect between what families expect from aftercare and what funeral homes traditionally offer.
Our research revealed that families view aftercare as more than emotional support—they’re looking for help with paperwork, pre-planning guidance, probate resources, and connections to trusted professionals. The session provided actionable strategies for funeral homes to meet these expectations, offering both practical services and meaningful grief support.
Across all three conferences, the message was clear: Funeral care is about more than the arrangement process. Families need continuous support, whether through pre-planning, grief resources, or help with the practicalities of estate settlement. The key takeaway for us at Cadence is that offering this kind of holistic support builds deeper relationships, trust, and even generational loyalty.
Cadence is proud to be a part of this evolving conversation. Through our comprehensive aftercare solutions, we empower funeral homes to be there for families every step of the way—creating a seamless experience that makes a lasting impact.
If you haven’t met our team at CANA, Funeral IQ, or Selected Independent, we would love to connect, hear your insights, and show how Cadence can help you extend your care beyond the arrangement room. Whether you're interested in grief support resources, estate management tools, or innovative aftercare solutions, we’re here to help you support the families you serve.
We hope to see you soon and look forward to building connections that continue long after this conference season comes to a close.
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